Building automation system with integrated building information model

ABSTRACT

A building automation system (BAS) includes building equipment located within a building and a BAS network configured to facilitate communications between the building equipment. The building equipment operate to affect a variable state or condition within the building. The BAS includes a BAS-BIM integrator configured to receive BAS points from the BAS network and to integrate the BAS points with a building information model (BIM). The BIM includes a plurality of BIM objects representing the building equipment. The BAS includes an integrated BAS-BIM viewer configured to use the BIM with the integrated BAS points to generate a user interface. The user interface includes a graphical representation of the BIM objects and the BAS points integrated therewith.

BACKGROUND

The present invention relates generally to a building automation system(BAS) and more particularly to a BAS configured to integrate BAS datawith a building information model (BIM).

A BIM is a representation of the physical and/or functionalcharacteristics of a building. A BIM may represent structuralcharacteristics of the building (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings, doors,windows, etc.) as well as the systems or components contained within thebuilding (e.g., lighting components, electrical systems, mechanicalsystems, HVAC components, furniture, plumbing systems or fixtures,etc.). In some embodiments, a BIM is a 3D graphical model of thebuilding. A BIM may be created using computer modeling software or othercomputer-aided design (CAD) tools and may be used by any of a pluralityof entities that provide building-related services.

A BAS is, in general, a system of devices configured to control,monitor, and/or manage equipment in or around a building or buildingarea. A BAS can include, for example, a HVAC system, a security system,a lighting system, a fire alerting system, any other system that iscapable of managing building functions or devices, or any combinationthereof. Some BASs provide graphical user interfaces that allow a userto interact with components of the BAS. Generating graphics for thegraphical user interfaces can be time consuming and often results in lowquality graphics that do not adequately represent the buildingequipment. It would be desirable to use the graphics and modelingprovided by a BIM as part of the BAS interface. However, it can bedifficult and challenging to integrate BAS points with a BIM.

SUMMARY

One implementation of the present disclosure is a building automationsystem (BAS). The BAS includes building equipment located within abuilding and a BAS network configured to facilitate communicationsbetween the building equipment. The building equipment operate to affecta variable state or condition within the building. The BAS includes aBAS-BIM integrator configured to receive BAS points from the BAS networkand to integrate the BAS points with a building information model (BIM).The BIM includes a plurality of BIM objects representing the buildingequipment. The BAS includes an integrated BAS-BIM viewer configured touse the BIM with the integrated BAS points to generate a user interface.The user interface includes a graphical representation of the BIMobjects and the BAS points integrated therewith.

In some embodiments, the BIM includes a three-dimensional model of thebuilding. The BIM objects may include one or more objects representingstructural components of the building and one or more objectsrepresenting spaces within the building.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer uses the integratedBAS points to retrieve corresponding point values from the BAS networkand displays the point values as part of the user interface. The pointvalues may include at least one of values measured by the buildingequipment, values generated by the building equipment, setpoints for thebuilding equipment, and operating parameters for the building equipment.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer generates a graphincluding a history of values for at least one of the BAS points anddisplays the graph as part of the user interface.

In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM integrator includes a BAS treegenerator configured to generate a BAS tree comprising the BAS points, aBIM tree generator configured to generate a BIM tree comprising the BIMobjects, and a mapping interface generator configured to generate amapping interface comprising the BAS tree and the BIM tree. The BAS-BIMintegrator may be configured to establish mappings between the BASpoints and the BIM objects based on a user input received via themapping interface. In some embodiments, the user input includes draggingand dropping the BAS points from the BAS tree onto BIM objects in theBIM tree.

In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM integrator stores mappings between theBAS points and the BIM objects in a mappings database. The integratedBAS-BIM viewer may retrieve the mappings from the mappings database anduse the mappings to generate the user interface.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer receives a controlaction via the user interface and uses the control action to generate acontrol signal for the building equipment.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a system forintegrating building automation system (BAS) points with a buildinginformation model (BIM). The system includes a BAS-BIM integratorconfigured to receive BAS points from a BAS network and to integrate theBAS points with a BIM. The BIM includes a plurality of BIM objectsrepresenting building equipment. The system includes an integratedBAS-BIM viewer configured to use the BIM with the integrated BAS pointsto generate a user interface. The user interface includes a graphicalrepresentation of the BIM objects and the BAS points integratedtherewith.

In some embodiments, the BIM includes a three-dimensional model of thebuilding. The BIM objects may include one or more objects representingstructural components of the building and one or more objectsrepresenting spaces within the building.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer uses the integratedBAS points to retrieve corresponding point values from the BAS networkand displays the point values as part of the user interface. The pointvalues may include at least one of values measured by the buildingequipment, values generated by the building equipment, setpoints for thebuilding equipment, and operating parameters for the building equipment.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer generates a graphincluding a history of values for at least one of the BAS points anddisplays the graph as part of the user interface.

In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM integrator includes a BAS treegenerator configured to generate a BAS tree comprising the BAS points, aBIM tree generator configured to generate a BIM tree comprising the BIMobjects, and a mapping interface generator configured to generate amapping interface comprising the BAS tree and the BIM tree. The BAS-BIMintegrator may be configured to establish mappings between the BASpoints and the BIM objects based on a user input received via themapping interface. In some embodiments, the user input includes draggingand dropping the BAS points from the BAS tree onto BIM objects in theBIM tree.

In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM integrator stores mappings between theBAS points and the BIM objects in a mappings database. The integratedBAS-BIM viewer may retrieve the mappings from the mappings database anduse the mappings to generate the user interface.

In some embodiments, the integrated BAS-BIM viewer receives a controlaction via the user interface and uses the control action to generate acontrol signal for the building equipment.

Another implementation of the present disclosure is a method forintegrating building automation system (BAS) points with a buildinginformation model (BIM). The method includes receiving a BIM including aplurality of BIM objects representing building equipment, collecting BASpoints from a BAS network, integrating the BAS points with the BIM, andusing the BIM with the integrated BAS points to generate a userinterface. The user interface includes a graphical representation of theBIM objects and the BAS points integrated therewith. The method includesdetecting a control action received via the user interface and using thecontrol action to generate a control signal for the building equipmentin response to detecting the control action.

Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the summary isillustrative only and is not intended to be in any way limiting. Otheraspects, inventive features, and advantages of the devices and/orprocesses described herein, as defined solely by the claims, will becomeapparent in the detailed description set forth herein and taken inconjunction with the accompanying drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a drawing of a building equipped with a building automationsystem (BAS), according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a waterside system which may be used toprovide heating and/or cooling to the building of FIG. 1, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an airside system which may be used toprovide heating and/or cooling to the building of FIG. 1, according toan exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a BAS which may be used to monitor andcontrol building equipment in the building of FIG. 1, according to anexemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of a system for integrating BAS data with abuilding information model (BIM), according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating the BAS-BIM integrator of FIG. 5in greater detail, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a block diagram of another system for integrating BAS datawith a BIM, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 8 a block diagram of a BAS controller which may be used tointegrate BAS data with a BIM, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 9-18 are drawings of user interfaces which may be generated by thesystems of FIGS. 5, 7, and/or 8 illustrating a graphical representationof a BIM with integrated BAS data, according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 19 is a flowchart of a process for integrating BAS data with a BIM,according to an exemplary embodiment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring generally to the FIGURES, a building automation system (BAS)with an integrated building information model (BIM) is shown, accordingto an exemplary embodiment. A BAS is, in general, a system of devicesconfigured to control, monitor, and manage equipment in or around abuilding or building area. A BAS can include, for example, a HVACsystem, a security system, a lighting system, a fire alerting system,any other system that is capable of managing building functions ordevices, or any combination thereof.

A BIM is a representation of the physical and/or functionalcharacteristics of a building. A BIM may represent structuralcharacteristics of the building (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings, doors,windows, etc.) as well as the systems or components contained within thebuilding (e.g., lighting components, electrical systems, mechanicalsystems, HVAC components, furniture, plumbing systems or fixtures,etc.). In some embodiments, a BIM is a 3D graphical model of thebuilding. A BIM may be created using computer modeling software or othercomputer-aided design (CAD) tools and may be used by any of a pluralityof entities that provide building-related services.

In some embodiments, a BIM represents building components as objects(e.g., software objects). For example, a BIM may include a plurality ofobjects that represent physical components within the building as wellas building spaces. Each object may include a collection of attributesthat define the physical geometry of the object, the type of object,and/or other properties of the object. For example, objects representingbuilding spaces may define the size and location of the building space.Objects representing physical components may define the geometry of thephysical component, the type of component (e.g., lighting fixture, airhandling unit, wall, etc.), the location of the physical component, amaterial from which the physical component is constructed, and/or otherattributes of the physical component.

The systems and methods described herein may be used to integrate BASdata with a BIM. Advantageously, the integration provided by the presentinvention allows dynamic BAS data (e.g., data points and theirassociated values) to be combined with the BIM. The integrated BIM withBAS data can be viewed using an integrated BAS-BIM viewer (e.g., CADsoftware, a CAD viewer, a web browser, etc.). The BAS-BIM viewer usesthe geometric and location information from the BIM to generate 3Drepresentations of physical components and building spaces.

In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM viewer functions as a user interfacefor monitoring and controlling the various systems and devicesrepresented in the integrated BIM. For example, a user can viewreal-time data from the BAS and/or trend data for objects represented inthe BIM simply by viewing the BIM with integrated BAS data. The user canview BAS points, change the values of BAS points (e.g., setpoints),configure the BAS, and interact with the BAS via the BAS-BIM viewer.These features allow the BIM with integrated BAS data to be used as abuilding control interface which provides a graphical 3D representationof the building and the equipment contained therein without requiring auser to manually create or define graphics for various buildingcomponents. Additional features and advantages of the present inventionare described in greater detail below.

Building Automation System and HVAC System

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, an exemplary building automation system(BAS) and HVAC system in which the systems and methods of the presentinvention may be implemented are shown, according to an exemplaryembodiment. Referring particularly to FIG. 1, a perspective view of abuilding 10 is shown. Building 10 is served by a BAS which includes aHVAC system 100. HVAC system 100 may include a plurality of HVAC devices(e.g., heaters, chillers, air handling units, pumps, fans, thermalenergy storage, etc.) configured to provide heating, cooling,ventilation, or other services for building 10. For example, HVAC system100 is shown to include a waterside system 120 and an airside system130. Waterside system 120 may provide a heated or chilled fluid to anair handling unit of airside system 130. Airside system 130 may use theheated or chilled fluid to heat or cool an airflow provided to building10. An exemplary waterside system and airside system which may be usedin HVAC system 100 are described in greater detail with reference toFIGS. 2-3.

HVAC system 100 is shown to include a chiller 102, a boiler 104, and arooftop air handling unit (AHU) 106. Waterside system 120 may use boiler104 and chiller 102 to heat or cool a working fluid (e.g., water,glycol, etc.) and may circulate the working fluid to AHU 106. In variousembodiments, the HVAC devices of waterside system 120 may be located inor around building 10 (as shown in FIG. 1) or at an offsite locationsuch as a central plant (e.g., a chiller plant, a steam plant, a heatplant, etc.). The working fluid may be heated in boiler 104 or cooled inchiller 102, depending on whether heating or cooling is required inbuilding 10. Boiler 104 may add heat to the circulated fluid, forexample, by burning a combustible material (e.g., natural gas) or usingan electric heating element. Chiller 102 may place the circulated fluidin a heat exchange relationship with another fluid (e.g., a refrigerant)in a heat exchanger (e.g., an evaporator) to absorb heat from thecirculated fluid. The working fluid from chiller 102 and/or boiler 104may be transported to AHU 106 via piping 108.

AHU 106 may place the working fluid in a heat exchange relationship withan airflow passing through AHU 106 (e.g., via one or more stages ofcooling coils and/or heating coils). The airflow may be, for example,outside air, return air from within building 10, or a combination ofboth. AHU 106 may transfer heat between the airflow and the workingfluid to provide heating or cooling for the airflow. For example, AHU106 may include one or more fans or blowers configured to pass theairflow over or through a heat exchanger containing the working fluid.The working fluid may then return to chiller 102 or boiler 104 viapiping 110.

Airside system 130 may deliver the airflow supplied by AHU 106 (i.e.,the supply airflow) to building 10 via air supply ducts 112 and mayprovide return air from building 10 to AHU 106 via air return ducts 114.In some embodiments, airside system 130 includes multiple variable airvolume (VAV) units 116. For example, airside system 130 is shown toinclude a separate VAV unit 116 on each floor or zone of building 10.VAV units 116 may include dampers or other flow control elements thatcan be operated to control an amount of the supply airflow provided toindividual zones of building 10. In other embodiments, airside system130 delivers the supply airflow into one or more zones of building 10(e.g., via supply ducts 112) without using intermediate VAV units 116 orother flow control elements. AHU 106 may include various sensors (e.g.,temperature sensors, pressure sensors, etc.) configured to measureattributes of the supply airflow. AHU 106 may receive input from sensorslocated within AHU 106 and/or within the building zone and may adjustthe flow rate, temperature, or other attributes of the supply airflowthrough AHU 106 to achieve setpoint conditions for the building zone.

Referring now to FIG. 2, a block diagram of a waterside system 200 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments,waterside system 200 may supplement or replace waterside system 120 inHVAC system 100 or may be implemented separate from HVAC system 100.When implemented in HVAC system 100, waterside system 200 may include asubset of the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., boiler 104, chiller102, pumps, valves, etc.) and may operate to supply a heated or chilledfluid to AHU 106. The HVAC devices of waterside system 200 may belocated within building 10 (e.g., as components of waterside system 120)or at an offsite location such as a central plant.

In FIG. 2, waterside system 200 is shown as a central plant having aplurality of subplants 202-212. Subplants 202-212 are shown to include aheater subplant 202, a heat recovery chiller subplant 204, a chillersubplant 206, a cooling tower subplant 208, a hot thermal energy storage(TES) subplant 210, and a cold thermal energy storage (TES) subplant212. Subplants 202-212 consume resources (e.g., water, natural gas,electricity, etc.) from utilities to serve the thermal energy loads(e.g., hot water, cold water, heating, cooling, etc.) of a building orcampus. For example, heater subplant 202 may be configured to heat waterin a hot water loop 214 that circulates the hot water between heatersubplant 202 and building 10. Chiller subplant 206 may be configured tochill water in a cold water loop 216 that circulates the cold waterbetween chiller subplant 206 building 10. Heat recovery chiller subplant204 may be configured to transfer heat from cold water loop 216 to hotwater loop 214 to provide additional heating for the hot water andadditional cooling for the cold water. Condenser water loop 218 mayabsorb heat from the cold water in chiller subplant 206 and reject theabsorbed heat in cooling tower subplant 208 or transfer the absorbedheat to hot water loop 214. Hot TES subplant 210 and cold TES subplant212 may store hot and cold thermal energy, respectively, for subsequentuse.

Hot water loop 214 and cold water loop 216 may deliver the heated and/orchilled water to air handlers located on the rooftop of building 10(e.g., AHU 106) or to individual floors or zones of building 10 (e.g.,VAV units 116). The air handlers push air past heat exchangers (e.g.,heating coils or cooling coils) through which the water flows to provideheating or cooling for the air. The heated or cooled air may bedelivered to individual zones of building 10 to serve the thermal energyloads of building 10. The water then returns to subplants 202-212 toreceive further heating or cooling.

Although subplants 202-212 are shown and described as heating andcooling water for circulation to a building, it is understood that anyother type of working fluid (e.g., glycol, CO2, etc.) may be used inplace of or in addition to water to serve the thermal energy loads. Inother embodiments, subplants 202-212 may provide heating and/or coolingdirectly to the building or campus without requiring an intermediateheat transfer fluid. These and other variations to waterside system 200are within the teachings of the present invention.

Each of subplants 202-212 may include a variety of equipment configuredto facilitate the functions of the subplant. For example, heatersubplant 202 is shown to include a plurality of heating elements 220(e.g., boilers, electric heaters, etc.) configured to add heat to thehot water in hot water loop 214. Heater subplant 202 is also shown toinclude several pumps 222 and 224 configured to circulate the hot waterin hot water loop 214 and to control the flow rate of the hot waterthrough individual heating elements 220. Chiller subplant 206 is shownto include a plurality of chillers 232 configured to remove heat fromthe cold water in cold water loop 216. Chiller subplant 206 is alsoshown to include several pumps 234 and 236 configured to circulate thecold water in cold water loop 216 and to control the flow rate of thecold water through individual chillers 232.

Heat recovery chiller subplant 204 is shown to include a plurality ofheat recovery heat exchangers 226 (e.g., refrigeration circuits)configured to transfer heat from cold water loop 216 to hot water loop214. Heat recovery chiller subplant 204 is also shown to include severalpumps 228 and 230 configured to circulate the hot water and/or coldwater through heat recovery heat exchangers 226 and to control the flowrate of the water through individual heat recovery heat exchangers 226.Cooling tower subplant 208 is shown to include a plurality of coolingtowers 238 configured to remove heat from the condenser water incondenser water loop 218. Cooling tower subplant 208 is also shown toinclude several pumps 240 configured to circulate the condenser water incondenser water loop 218 and to control the flow rate of the condenserwater through individual cooling towers 238.

Hot TES subplant 210 is shown to include a hot TES tank 242 configuredto store the hot water for later use. Hot TES subplant 210 may alsoinclude one or more pumps or valves configured to control the flow rateof the hot water into or out of hot TES tank 242. Cold TES subplant 212is shown to include cold TES tanks 244 configured to store the coldwater for later use. Cold TES subplant 212 may also include one or morepumps or valves configured to control the flow rate of the cold waterinto or out of cold TES tanks 244.

In some embodiments, one or more of the pumps in waterside system 200(e.g., pumps 222, 224, 228, 230, 234, 236, and/or 240) or pipelines inwaterside system 200 include an isolation valve associated therewith.Isolation valves may be integrated with the pumps or positioned upstreamor downstream of the pumps to control the fluid flows in watersidesystem 200. In various embodiments, waterside system 200 may includemore, fewer, or different types of devices and/or subplants based on theparticular configuration of waterside system 200 and the types of loadsserved by waterside system 200.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a block diagram of an airside system 300 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In various embodiments,airside system 300 may supplement or replace airside system 130 in HVACsystem 100 or may be implemented separate from HVAC system 100. Whenimplemented in HVAC system 100, airside system 300 may include a subsetof the HVAC devices in HVAC system 100 (e.g., AHU 106, VAV units 116,ducts 112-114, fans, dampers, etc.) and may be located in or aroundbuilding 10. Airside system 300 may operate to heat or cool an airflowprovided to building 10 using a heated or chilled fluid provided bywaterside system 200.

In FIG. 3, airside system 300 is shown to include an economizer-type airhandling unit (AHU) 302. Economizer-type AHUs vary the amount of outsideair and return air used by the air handling unit for heating or cooling.For example, AHU 302 may receive return air 304 from building zone 306via return air duct 308 and may deliver supply air 310 to building zone306 via supply air duct 312. In some embodiments, AHU 302 is a rooftopunit located on the roof of building 10 (e.g., AHU 106 as shown inFIG. 1) or otherwise positioned to receive both return air 304 andoutside air 314. AHU 302 may be configured to operate exhaust air damper316, mixing damper 318, and outside air damper 320 to control an amountof outside air 314 and return air 304 that combine to form supply air310. Any return air 304 that does not pass through mixing damper 318 maybe exhausted from AHU 302 through exhaust damper 316 as exhaust air 322.

Each of dampers 316-320 may be operated by an actuator. For example,exhaust air damper 316 may be operated by actuator 324, mixing damper318 may be operated by actuator 326, and outside air damper 320 may beoperated by actuator 328. Actuators 324-328 may communicate with an AHUcontroller 330 via a communications link 332. Actuators 324-328 mayreceive control signals from AHU controller 330 and may provide feedbacksignals to AHU controller 330. Feedback signals may include, forexample, an indication of a current actuator or damper position, anamount of torque or force exerted by the actuator, diagnosticinformation (e.g., results of diagnostic tests performed by actuators324-328), status information, commissioning information, configurationsettings, calibration data, and/or other types of information or datathat may be collected, stored, or used by actuators 324-328. AHUcontroller 330 may be an economizer controller configured to use one ormore control algorithms (e.g., state-based algorithms, extremum seekingcontrol (ESC) algorithms, proportional-integral (PI) control algorithms,proportional-integral-derivative (PID) control algorithms, modelpredictive control (MPC) algorithms, feedback control algorithms, etc.)to control actuators 324-328.

Still referring to FIG. 3, AHU 302 is shown to include a cooling coil334, a heating coil 336, and a fan 338 positioned within supply air duct312. Fan 338 may be configured to force supply air 310 through coolingcoil 334 and/or heating coil 336 and provide supply air 310 to buildingzone 306. AHU controller 330 may communicate with fan 338 viacommunications link 340 to control a flow rate of supply air 310. Insome embodiments, AHU controller 330 controls an amount of heating orcooling applied to supply air 310 by modulating a speed of fan 338.

Cooling coil 334 may receive a chilled fluid from waterside system 200(e.g., from cold water loop 216) via piping 342 and may return thechilled fluid to waterside system 200 via piping 344. Valve 346 may bepositioned along piping 342 or piping 344 to control a flow rate of thechilled fluid through cooling coil 334. In some embodiments, coolingcoil 334 includes multiple stages of cooling coils that can beindependently activated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 330, byBAS controller 366, etc.) to modulate an amount of cooling applied tosupply air 310.

Heating coil 336 may receive a heated fluid from waterside system 200(e.g., from hot water loop 214) via piping 348 and may return the heatedfluid to waterside system 200 via piping 350. Valve 352 may bepositioned along piping 348 or piping 350 to control a flow rate of theheated fluid through heating coil 336. In some embodiments, heating coil336 includes multiple stages of heating coils that can be independentlyactivated and deactivated (e.g., by AHU controller 330, by BAScontroller 366, etc.) to modulate an amount of heating applied to supplyair 310.

Each of valves 346 and 352 may be controlled by an actuator. Forexample, valve 346 may be controlled by actuator 354 and valve 352 maybe controlled by actuator 356. Actuators 354-356 may communicate withAHU controller 330 via communications links 358-360. Actuators 354-356may receive control signals from AHU controller 330 and may providefeedback signals to controller 330. In some embodiments, AHU controller330 receives a measurement of the supply air temperature from atemperature sensor 362 positioned in supply air duct 312 (e.g.,downstream of cooling coil 334 and/or heating coil 336). AHU controller330 may also receive a measurement of the temperature of building zone306 from a temperature sensor 364 located in building zone 306.

In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 operates valves 346 and 352 viaactuators 354-356 to modulate an amount of heating or cooling providedto supply air 310 (e.g., to achieve a setpoint temperature for supplyair 310 or to maintain the temperature of supply air 310 within asetpoint temperature range). The positions of valves 346 and 352 affectthe amount of heating or cooling provided to supply air 310 by coolingcoil 334 or heating coil 336 and may correlate with the amount of energyconsumed to achieve a desired supply air temperature. AHU controller 330may control the temperature of supply air 310 and/or building zone 306by activating or deactivating coils 334-336, adjusting a speed of fan338, or a combination of both.

Still referring to FIG. 3, airside system 300 is shown to include abuilding automation system (BAS) controller 366 and a client device 368.BAS controller 366 may include one or more computer systems (e.g.,servers, supervisory controllers, subsystem controllers, etc.) thatserve as system level controllers, application or data servers, headnodes, or master controllers for airside system 300, waterside system200, HVAC system 100, and/or other controllable systems that servebuilding 10. BAS controller 366 may communicate with multiple downstreambuilding systems or subsystems (e.g., HVAC system 100, a securitysystem, a lighting system, waterside system 200, etc.) via acommunications link 370 according to like or disparate protocols (e.g.,LON, BACnet, etc.). In various embodiments, AHU controller 330 and BAScontroller 366 may be separate (as shown in FIG. 3) or integrated. In anintegrated implementation, AHU controller 330 may be a software moduleconfigured for execution by a processor of BAS controller 366.

In some embodiments, AHU controller 330 receives information from BAScontroller 366 (e.g., commands, setpoints, operating boundaries, etc.)and provides information to BAS controller 366 (e.g., temperaturemeasurements, valve or actuator positions, operating statuses,diagnostics, etc.). For example, AHU controller 330 may provide BAScontroller 366 with temperature measurements from temperature sensors362-364, equipment on/off states, equipment operating capacities, and/orany other information that can be used by BAS controller 366 to monitoror control a variable state or condition within building zone 306.

Client device 368 may include one or more human-machine interfaces orclient interfaces (e.g., graphical user interfaces, reportinginterfaces, text-based computer interfaces, client-facing web services,web servers that provide pages to web clients, etc.) for controlling,viewing, or otherwise interacting with HVAC system 100, its subsystems,and/or devices. Client device 368 may be a computer workstation, aclient terminal, a remote or local interface, or any other type of userinterface device. Client device 368 may be a stationary terminal or amobile device. For example, client device 368 may be a desktop computer,a computer server with a user interface, a laptop computer, a tablet, asmartphone, a PDA, or any other type of mobile or non-mobile device.Client device 368 may communicate with BAS controller 366 and/or AHUcontroller 330 via communications link 372.

Referring now to FIG. 4, a block diagram of a building automation system(BAS) 400 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. BAS 400 may beimplemented in building 10 to automatically monitor and control variousbuilding functions. BAS 400 is shown to include BAS controller 366 and aplurality of building subsystems 428. Building subsystems 428 are shownto include a building electrical subsystem 434, an informationcommunication technology (ICT) subsystem 436, a security subsystem 438,a HVAC subsystem 440, a lighting subsystem 442, a lift/escalatorssubsystem 432, and a fire safety subsystem 430. In various embodiments,building subsystems 428 can include fewer, additional, or alternativesubsystems. For example, building subsystems 428 may also oralternatively include a refrigeration subsystem, an advertising orsignage subsystem, a cooking subsystem, a vending subsystem, a printeror copy service subsystem, or any other type of building subsystem thatuses controllable equipment and/or sensors to monitor or controlbuilding 10. In some embodiments, building subsystems 428 includewaterside system 200 and/or airside system 300, as described withreference to FIGS. 2-3.

Each of building subsystems 428 may include any number of devices,controllers, and connections for completing its individual functions andcontrol activities. HVAC subsystem 440 may include many of the samecomponents as HVAC system 100, as described with reference to FIGS. 1-3.For example, HVAC subsystem 440 may include a chiller, a boiler, anynumber of air handling units, economizers, field controllers,supervisory controllers, actuators, temperature sensors, and otherdevices for controlling the temperature, humidity, airflow, or othervariable conditions within building 10. Lighting subsystem 442 mayinclude any number of light fixtures, ballasts, lighting sensors,dimmers, or other devices configured to controllably adjust the amountof light provided to a building space. Security subsystem 438 mayinclude occupancy sensors, video surveillance cameras, digital videorecorders, video processing servers, intrusion detection devices, accesscontrol devices and servers, or other security-related devices.

Still referring to FIG. 4, BAS controller 366 is shown to include acommunications interface 407 and a BAS interface 409. Interface 407 mayfacilitate communications between BAS controller 366 and externalapplications (e.g., monitoring and reporting applications 422,enterprise control applications 426, remote systems and applications444, applications residing on client devices 448, etc.) for allowinguser control, monitoring, and adjustment to BAS controller 366 and/orsubsystems 428. Interface 407 may also facilitate communications betweenBAS controller 366 and client devices 448. BAS interface 409 mayfacilitate communications between BAS controller 366 and buildingsubsystems 428 (e.g., HVAC, lighting security, lifts, powerdistribution, business, etc.).

Interfaces 407, 409 can be or include wired or wireless communicationsinterfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters, receivers,transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting data communicationswith building subsystems 428 or other external systems or devices. Invarious embodiments, communications via interfaces 407, 409 may bedirect (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or via acommunications network 446 (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellularnetwork, etc.). For example, interfaces 407, 409 can include an Ethernetcard and port for sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-basedcommunications link or network. In another example, interfaces 407, 409can include a WiFi transceiver for communicating via a wirelesscommunications network. In another example, one or both of interfaces407, 409 may include cellular or mobile phone communicationstransceivers. In one embodiment, communications interface 407 is a powerline communications interface and BAS interface 409 is an Ethernetinterface. In other embodiments, both communications interface 407 andBAS interface 409 are Ethernet interfaces or are the same Ethernetinterface.

Still referring to FIG. 4, BAS controller 366 is shown to include aprocessing circuit 404 including a processor 406 and memory 408.Processing circuit 404 may be communicably connected to BAS interface409 and/or communications interface 407 such that processing circuit 404and the various components thereof can send and receive data viainterfaces 407, 409. Processor 406 can be implemented as a generalpurpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC),one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group ofprocessing components, or other suitable electronic processingcomponents.

Memory 408 (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device, etc.) may includeone or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage,etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing orfacilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in thepresent application. Memory 408 may be or include volatile memory ornon-volatile memory. Memory 408 may include database components, objectcode components, script components, or any other type of informationstructure for supporting the various activities and informationstructures described in the present application. According to anexemplary embodiment, memory 408 is communicably connected to processor406 via processing circuit 404 and includes computer code for executing(e.g., by processing circuit 404 and/or processor 406) one or moreprocesses described herein.

In some embodiments, BAS controller 366 is implemented within a singlecomputer (e.g., one server, one housing, etc.). In various otherembodiments BAS controller 366 may be distributed across multipleservers or computers (e.g., that can exist in distributed locations).Further, while FIG. 4 shows applications 422 and 426 as existing outsideof BAS controller 366, in some embodiments, applications 422 and 426 maybe hosted within BAS controller 366 (e.g., within memory 408).

Still referring to FIG. 4, memory 408 is shown to include an enterpriseintegration layer 410, an automated measurement and validation (ΔM&V)layer 412, a demand response (DR) layer 414, a fault detection anddiagnostics (FDD) layer 416, an integrated control layer 418, and abuilding subsystem integration later 420. Layers 410-420 may beconfigured to receive inputs from building subsystems 428 and other datasources, determine optimal control actions for building subsystems 428based on the inputs, generate control signals based on the optimalcontrol actions, and provide the generated control signals to buildingsubsystems 428. The following paragraphs describe some of the generalfunctions performed by each of layers 410-420 in BAS 400.

Enterprise integration layer 410 may be configured to serve clients orlocal applications with information and services to support a variety ofenterprise-level applications. For example, enterprise controlapplications 426 may be configured to provide subsystem-spanning controlto a graphical user interface (GUI) or to any number of enterprise-levelbusiness applications (e.g., accounting systems, user identificationsystems, etc.). Enterprise control applications 426 may also oralternatively be configured to provide configuration GUIs forconfiguring BAS controller 366. In yet other embodiments, enterprisecontrol applications 426 can work with layers 410-420 to optimizebuilding performance (e.g., efficiency, energy use, comfort, or safety)based on inputs received at interface 407 and/or BAS interface 409.

Building subsystem integration layer 420 may be configured to managecommunications between BAS controller 366 and building subsystems 428.For example, building subsystem integration layer 420 may receive sensordata and input signals from building subsystems 428 and provide outputdata and control signals to building subsystems 428. Building subsystemintegration layer 420 may also be configured to manage communicationsbetween building subsystems 428. Building subsystem integration layer420 translate communications (e.g., sensor data, input signals, outputsignals, etc.) across a plurality of multi-vendor/multi-protocolsystems.

Demand response layer 414 may be configured to optimize resource usage(e.g., electricity use, natural gas use, water use, etc.) and/or themonetary cost of such resource usage in response to satisfy the demandof building 10. The optimization may be based on time-of-use prices,curtailment signals, energy availability, or other data received fromutility providers, distributed energy generation systems 424, fromenergy storage 427 (e.g., hot TES 242, cold TES 244, etc.), or fromother sources. Demand response layer 414 may receive inputs from otherlayers of BAS controller 366 (e.g., building subsystem integration layer420, integrated control layer 418, etc.). The inputs received from otherlayers may include environmental or sensor inputs such as temperature,carbon dioxide levels, relative humidity levels, air quality sensoroutputs, occupancy sensor outputs, room schedules, and the like. Theinputs may also include inputs such as electrical use (e.g., expressedin kWh), thermal load measurements, pricing information, projectedpricing, smoothed pricing, curtailment signals from utilities, and thelike.

According to an exemplary embodiment, demand response layer 414 includescontrol logic for responding to the data and signals it receives. Theseresponses can include communicating with the control algorithms inintegrated control layer 418, changing control strategies, changingsetpoints, or activating/deactivating building equipment or subsystemsin a controlled manner. Demand response layer 414 may also includecontrol logic configured to determine when to utilize stored energy. Forexample, demand response layer 414 may determine to begin using energyfrom energy storage 427 just prior to the beginning of a peak use hour.

In some embodiments, demand response layer 414 includes a control moduleconfigured to actively initiate control actions (e.g., automaticallychanging setpoints) which minimize energy costs based on one or moreinputs representative of or based on demand (e.g., price, a curtailmentsignal, a demand level, etc.). In some embodiments, demand responselayer 414 uses equipment models to determine an optimal set of controlactions. The equipment models may include, for example, thermodynamicmodels describing the inputs, outputs, and/or functions performed byvarious sets of building equipment. Equipment models may representcollections of building equipment (e.g., subplants, chiller arrays,etc.) or individual devices (e.g., individual chillers, heaters, pumps,etc.).

Demand response layer 414 may further include or draw upon one or moredemand response policy definitions (e.g., databases, XML files, etc.).The policy definitions may be edited or adjusted by a user (e.g., via agraphical user interface) so that the control actions initiated inresponse to demand inputs may be tailored for the user's application,desired comfort level, particular building equipment, or based on otherconcerns. For example, the demand response policy definitions canspecify which equipment may be turned on or off in response toparticular demand inputs, how long a system or piece of equipment shouldbe turned off, what setpoints can be changed, what the allowable setpoint adjustment range is, how long to hold a high demand setpointbefore returning to a normally scheduled setpoint, how close to approachcapacity limits, which equipment modes to utilize, the energy transferrates (e.g., the maximum rate, an alarm rate, other rate boundaryinformation, etc.) into and out of energy storage devices (e.g., thermalstorage tanks, battery banks, etc.), and when to dispatch on-sitegeneration of energy (e.g., via fuel cells, a motor generator set,etc.).

Integrated control layer 418 may be configured to use the data input oroutput of building subsystem integration layer 420 and/or demandresponse later 414 to make control decisions. Due to the subsystemintegration provided by building subsystem integration layer 420,integrated control layer 418 can integrate control activities of thesubsystems 428 such that the subsystems 428 behave as a singleintegrated supersystem. In an exemplary embodiment, integrated controllayer 418 includes control logic that uses inputs and outputs from aplurality of building subsystems to provide greater comfort and energysavings relative to the comfort and energy savings that separatesubsystems could provide alone. For example, integrated control layer418 may be configured to use an input from a first subsystem to make anenergy-saving control decision for a second subsystem. Results of thesedecisions can be communicated back to building subsystem integrationlayer 420.

Integrated control layer 418 is shown to be logically below demandresponse layer 414. Integrated control layer 418 may be configured toenhance the effectiveness of demand response layer 414 by enablingbuilding subsystems 428 and their respective control loops to becontrolled in coordination with demand response layer 414. Thisconfiguration may advantageously reduce disruptive demand responsebehavior relative to conventional systems. For example, integratedcontrol layer 418 may be configured to assure that a demandresponse-driven upward adjustment to the setpoint for chilled watertemperature (or another component that directly or indirectly affectstemperature) does not result in an increase in fan energy (or otherenergy used to cool a space) that would result in greater total buildingenergy use than was saved at the chiller.

Integrated control layer 418 may be configured to provide feedback todemand response layer 414 so that demand response layer 414 checks thatconstraints (e.g., temperature, lighting levels, etc.) are properlymaintained even while demanded load shedding is in progress. Theconstraints may also include setpoint or sensed boundaries relating tosafety, equipment operating limits and performance, comfort, fire codes,electrical codes, energy codes, and the like. Integrated control layer418 is also logically below fault detection and diagnostics layer 416and automated measurement and validation layer 412. Integrated controllayer 418 may be configured to provide calculated inputs (e.g.,aggregations) to these higher levels based on outputs from more than onebuilding subsystem.

Automated measurement and validation (AM&V) layer 412 may be configuredto verify that control strategies commanded by integrated control layer418 or demand response layer 414 are working properly (e.g., using dataaggregated by AM&V layer 412, integrated control layer 418, buildingsubsystem integration layer 420, FDD layer 416, or otherwise). Thecalculations made by AM&V layer 412 may be based on building systemenergy models and/or equipment models for individual BAS devices orsubsystems. For example, AM&V layer 412 may compare a model-predictedoutput with an actual output from building subsystems 428 to determinean accuracy of the model.

Fault detection and diagnostics (FDD) layer 416 may be configured toprovide on-going fault detection for building subsystems 428, buildingsubsystem devices (i.e., building equipment), and control algorithmsused by demand response layer 414 and integrated control layer 418. FDDlayer 416 may receive data inputs from integrated control layer 418,directly from one or more building subsystems or devices, or fromanother data source. FDD layer 416 may automatically diagnose andrespond to detected faults. The responses to detected or diagnosedfaults may include providing an alert message to a user, a maintenancescheduling system, or a control algorithm configured to attempt torepair the fault or to work-around the fault.

FDD layer 416 may be configured to output a specific identification ofthe faulty component or cause of the fault (e.g., loose damper linkage)using detailed subsystem inputs available at building subsystemintegration layer 420. In other exemplary embodiments, FDD layer 416 isconfigured to provide “fault” events to integrated control layer 418which executes control strategies and policies in response to thereceived fault events. According to an exemplary embodiment, FDD layer416 (or a policy executed by an integrated control engine or businessrules engine) may shut-down systems or direct control activities aroundfaulty devices or systems to reduce energy waste, extend equipment life,or assure proper control response.

FDD layer 416 may be configured to store or access a variety ofdifferent system data stores (or data points for live data). FDD layer416 may use some content of the data stores to identify faults at theequipment level (e.g., specific chiller, specific AHU, specific terminalunit, etc.) and other content to identify faults at component orsubsystem levels. For example, building subsystems 428 may generatetemporal (i.e., time-series) data indicating the performance of BAS 400and the various components thereof. The data generated by buildingsubsystems 428 may include measured or calculated values that exhibitstatistical characteristics and provide information about how thecorresponding system or process (e.g., a temperature control process, aflow control process, etc.) is performing in terms of error from itssetpoint. These processes can be examined by FDD layer 416 to exposewhen the system begins to degrade in performance and alert a user torepair the fault before it becomes more severe.

BAS-BIM Integration

Referring now to FIG. 5, a system 500 for integrating buildingautomation system data with a building information model is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. A building information model (BIM)is a representation of the physical and/or functional characteristics ofa building. A BIM may represent structural characteristics of thebuilding (e.g., walls, floors, ceilings, doors, windows, etc.) as wellas the systems or components contained within the building (e.g.,lighting components, electrical systems, mechanical systems, HVACcomponents, furniture, plumbing systems or fixtures, etc.).

In some embodiments, a BIM is a 3D graphical model of the building. ABIM may be created using computer modeling software or othercomputer-aided design (CAD) tools and may be used by any of a pluralityof entities that provide building-related services. For example, a BIMmay be used by architects, contractors, landscape architects, surveyors,civil engineers, structural engineers, building services engineers,building owners/operators, or any other entity to obtain informationabout the building and/or the components contained therein. A BIM mayreplace 2D technical drawings (e.g., plans, elevations, sections, etc.)and may provide significantly more information than traditional 2Ddrawings. For example, a BIM may include spatial relationships, lightanalyses, geographic information, and/or qualities or properties ofbuilding components (e.g., manufacturer details).

In some embodiments, a BIM represents building components as objects(e.g., software objects). For example, a BIM may include a plurality ofobjects that represent physical components within the building as wellas building spaces. Each object may include a collection of attributesthat define the physical geometry of the object, the type of object,and/or other properties of the object. For example, objects representingbuilding spaces may define the size and location of the building space.Objects representing physical components may define the geometry of thephysical component, the type of component (e.g., lighting fixture, airhandling unit, wall, etc.), the location of the physical component, amaterial from which the physical component is constructed, and/or otherattributes of the physical component.

In some embodiments, a BIM includes an industry foundation class (IFC)data model that describes building and construction industry data. AnIFC data model is an object-based file format that facilitatesinteroperability in the architecture, engineering, and constructionindustry. An IFC model may store and represent building components interms of a data schema. An IFC model may include multiple layers and mayinclude object definitions (e.g., IfcObjectDefinition), relationships(e.g., IfcRelationship), and property definitions (e.g.,IfcPropertyDefinition). Object definitions may identify various objectsin the IFC model and may include information such as physical placement,controls, and groupings. Relationships may capture relationships betweenobjects such as composition, assignment, connectivity, association, anddefinition. Property definitions may capture dynamically extensibleproperties about objects. Any type of property may be defined as anenumeration, a list of values, a table of values, or a data structure.

A BIM can be viewed and manipulated using a 3D modeling program (e.g.,CAD software), a model viewer, a web browser, and/or any other softwarecapable of interpreting and rendering the information contained withinthe BIM. Appropriate viewing software may allow a user to view therepresentation of the building from any of a variety of perspectivesand/or locations. For example, a user can view the BIM from aperspective within the building to see how the building would look fromthat location. In other words, a user can simulate the perspective of aperson within the building.

Advantageously, the integration provided by system 500 allows dynamicBAS data (e.g., data points and their associated values) to be combinedwith the BIM. The integrated BIM with BAS data can be viewed using anintegrated BAS-BIM viewer (e.g., CAD software, a CAD viewer, a webbrowser, etc.). The BAS-BIM viewer uses the geometric and locationinformation from the BIM to generate 3D representations of physicalcomponents and building spaces. In some embodiments, the BAS-BIM viewerfunctions as a user interface for monitoring and controlling the varioussystems and devices represented in the integrated BIM. For example, auser can view real-time data from the BAS and/or trend data for objectsrepresented in the BIM simply by viewing the BIM with integrated BASdata. The user can view BAS points, change the values of BAS points(e.g., setpoints), configure the BAS, and interact with the BAS via theBAS-BIM viewer. These features allow the BIM with integrated BAS data tobe used as a building control interface which provides a graphical 3Drepresentation of the building and the equipment contained thereinwithout requiring a user to manually create or define graphics forvarious building components.

Still referring to FIG. 5, system 500 is shown to include a BAS-BIMintegrator 502, an integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504, a BIM database 506, auser interface 508, a BAS network 510, and building equipment 512. Insome embodiments, some or all of the components of system 500 are partof BAS 400. For example, BAS network 510 may be a building automationand control network (e.g., a BACnet network, a LonWorks network, etc.)used by BAS 400 to communicate with building equipment 512. Buildingequipment 512 may include any of the equipment described with referenceto FIGS. 1-4. For example, building equipment 512 may include HVACequipment (e.g., chillers, boilers, air handling units pumps, fans,valves, dampers, etc.), fire safety equipment, lifts/escalators,electrical equipment, communications equipment, security equipment,lighting equipment, or any other type of equipment which may becontained within a building.

In some embodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502, integrated BAS-BIM viewer504, BIM database 506, and user interface 508 are components of BAScontroller 366. In other embodiments, one or more of components 502-508may be components of a user device. For example, integrated BAS-BIMviewer 504 may be an application running on the user device and may beconfigured to present a BIM with integrated BAS points via a userinterface (e.g., user interface 508) of the user device. BAS-BIMintegrator 502 may be part of the same application and may be configuredto integrate BAS points with a BIM model based on user input providedvia user interface 508. In further embodiments, integrated BAS-BIMviewer 504 is part of a user device that receives a BIM with integratedBAS points from a remote BAS-BIM integrator 502. It is contemplated thatcomponents 502-508 may be part of the same system/device (e.g., BAScontroller 366, a user device, etc.) or may be distributed acrossmultiple systems/devices. All such embodiments are within the scope ofthe present disclosure.

Still referring to FIG. 5, BAS-BIM integrator 502 is shown receiving aBIM and BAS points. In some embodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502 receivesa BIM from BIM database 506. In other embodiments, the BIM is uploadedby a user or retrieved from another data source. BAS-BIM integrator 502may receive BAS points from BAS network 510 (e.g., a BACnet network, aLonWorks network, etc.). The BAS points may be measured data points,calculated data points, setpoints, or other types of data points used bythe BAS, generated by the BAS, or stored within the BAS (e.g.,configuration settings, control parameters, equipment information, alarminformation, etc.).

BAS-BIM integrator 502 may be configured to integrate the BAS pointswith the BIM. In some embodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502 integrates theBAS points with the BIM based on a user-defined mapping. For example,BAS-BIM integrator 502 may be configured to generate a mapping interfacepresents the BAS points as a BAS tree and presents the BIM objects as aBIM tree. The BAS tree and the BIM tree may be presented to a user viauser interface 508. The mapping interface may allow a user to drag anddrop BAS points onto objects of the BIM or otherwise define associationsbetween BAS points and BIM objects. An exemplary mapping interface isdescribed in greater detail with reference to FIG. 18. In otherembodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502 automatically maps the BAS points toBIM objects based on attributes of the BAS points and the BIM objects(e.g., name, attributes, type, etc.).

In some embodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502 updates or modifies the BIMto include the BAS points. For example, BAS-BIM integrator 502 may storethe BAS points as properties or attributes of objects within the BIM(e.g., objects representing building equipment or spaces). The modifiedBIM with integrated BAS points may be provided to integrated BAS-BIMviewer 504 and/or stored in BIM database 506. When the BIM is viewed,the BAS points can be viewed along with the other attributes of the BIMobjects. In other embodiments, BAS-BIM integrator 502 generates amapping between BIM objects and BAS points without modifying the BIM.The mapping may be stored in a separate database or included within theBIM. When the BIM is viewed, integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may use themapping to identify BAS points associated with BIM objects.

Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 is shown receiving the BIM with integratedBAS points from BAS-BIM integrator 502. Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504may generate a 3D graphical representation of the building and thecomponents contained therein, according to the attributes of objectsdefined by the BIM. As previously described, the BIM objects may bemodified to include BAS points. For example, some or all of the objectswithin the BIM may be modified to include an attribute identifying aparticular BAS point (e.g., a point name, a point ID, etc.). Whenintegrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 renders the BIM with integrated BASpoints, integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may use the identities of the BASpoints provided by the BIM to retrieve corresponding point values fromBAS network 510. Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may incorporate the BASpoint values within the BIM to generate a BIM with integrated BAS pointsand values.

Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 is shown providing the BIM with integratedBAS points and values to user interface 508. User interface 508 maypresent the BIM with integrated BAS points and values to a user.Advantageously, the BIM with integrated BAS points and values mayinclude real-time data from BAS network 510, as defined by theintegrated BAS points. A user can monitor the BAS and view presentvalues of the BAS points from within the BIM. In some embodiments, theBIM with integrated BAS points and values includes trend data forvarious BAS points. User interface 508 may display the trend data to auser along with the BIM.

In some embodiments, integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 receives controlactions via user interface 508. For example, a user can write new valuesfor any of the BAS points displayed in the BIM (e.g., setpoints), sendoperating commands or control signals to the building equipmentdisplayed in the BIM, or otherwise interact with the BAS via the BIM.Control actions submitted via user interface 508 may be received atintegrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 and provided to BAS network 510. BASnetwork 510 may use the control actions to generate control signals forbuilding equipment 512 or otherwise adjust the operation of buildingequipment 512. In this way, the BIM with integrated BAS points andvalues not only allows a user to monitor the BAS, but also provides thecontrol functionality of a graphical BAS management and controlinterface. Several examples of the control interface provided by the BIMwith integrated BAS points and values are described in greater detailwith reference to FIGS. 9-18.

Referring now to FIG. 6, a block diagram illustrating BAS-BIM integrator502 in greater detail is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment.BAS-BIM integrator 502 is shown to include a BIM tree generator 606 anda BAS tree generator 604. BIM tree generator 606 may be configured toreceive a BIM from BIM database 506. Alternatively, the BIM may beuploaded by a user or retrieved from another location. BIM treegenerator 606 may generate a BIM tree based on the BIM. The BIM tree mayinclude a hierarchical listing of BIM objects referenced in the BIM. BAStree generator 604 may receive BAS points from the BAS and may generatea BAS tree based on the BAS points. The BAS tree may include ahierarchical listing of BAS points. Exemplary BAS and BIM trees areshown in FIG. 18.

BAS-BIM integrator 502 is shown to include a mapping interface generator602. Mapping interface generator 602 may be configured to generate aninterface for mapping BAS points to BIM objects. In some embodiments,the mapping interface includes the BAS tree and BIM tree. For example,the BAS tree may be displayed in a first portion of the mappinginterface and the BIM tree may be displayed in a second portion of themapping interface. The mapping interface may be presented to a user viauser interface 508. A user can define point mappings by dragging anddropping BAS points from the BAS tree onto BIM objects in the BIM tree.Mapping interface generator 602 may receive the point mappings from userinterface 508 and may provide the point mappings to BIM updater 608. Anexemplary mapping interface which may be generated by mapping interfacegenerator 602 is shown in FIG. 18.

BIM updater 608 may be configured to update or modify the BIM based onthe BAS point mappings. For example, BIM updater 608 may store the BASpoints as properties or attributes of objects within the BIM (e.g.,objects representing building equipment or spaces). The modified BIMwith integrated BAS points may be provided to integrated BAS-BIM viewer504 and/or stored in BIM database 506. When the BIM is viewed, the BASpoints mapped to a BIM object can be viewed along with other attributesof the BIM objects.

Referring now to FIG. 7, another system 700 for integrating buildingautomation system data with a building information model is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. System 700 is shown to includemany of the same components as system 500. For example, system 700 isshown to include a BAS-BIM integrator 502, an integrated BAS-BIM viewer504, a BIM database 506, a user interface 508, a BAS network 510, andbuilding equipment 512. These components may be the same or similar aspreviously described with reference to FIGS. 5-6.

System 700 is also shown to include a point mappings database 702. Inthe embodiment shown in FIG. 7, BAS-BIM integrator 502 does not modifythe BIM to include the BAS points, but rather stores the point mappingsin point mappings database 702. When the BIM is viewed, integratedBAS-BIM viewer 504 may retrieve the BIM from BIM database 506 and mayretrieve the point mappings from point mappings database 702. IntegratedBAS-BIM viewer 504 may use the point mappings to identify BAS pointsassociated with the BIM objects.

Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may generate a 3D graphical representationof the building and the components contained therein, according to theattributes of objects defined by the BIM. When integrated BAS-BIM viewer504 renders the BIM, integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may use theidentities of the BAS points provided by the point mappings to retrievecorresponding point values from BAS network 510. Integrated BAS-BIMviewer 504 may incorporate the BAS point values within the BIM togenerate a BIM with integrated BAS points and values.

Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 is shown providing the BIM with integratedBAS points and values to user interface 508. User interface 508 maypresent the BIM with integrated BAS points and values to a user.Advantageously, the BIM with integrated BAS points and values mayinclude real-time data from BAS network 510, as defined by theintegrated BAS points. A user can monitor the BAS and view presentvalues of the BAS points from within the BIM. In some embodiments, theBIM with integrated BAS points and values includes trend data forvarious BAS points. User interface 508 may display the trend data to auser along with the BIM.

Referring now to FIG. 8, a block diagram of a BAS controller 802 isshown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments, manyof the components of systems 500-700 are components of BAS controller802. For example, BAS controller 802 is shown to include a BAS-BIMintegrator 502, an integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504, a user interface 508,a mapping interface generator 602, a BAS tree generator 604, a BIM treegenerator 606, and a point mappings database 702. These components maybe the same or similar as previously described with reference to FIGS.5-7. Controller 802 may also include some or all of the components ofBAS controller 366, as described with reference to FIGS. 3-4.

Controller 802 is shown to include a data communications interface 804and a processing circuit 808. Interface 804 may facilitatecommunications between BAS controller 802 and external systems orapplications (e.g., BIM database 506, BAS network 510, buildingequipment 512, a user device, etc.). Interface 804 may include wired orwireless communications interfaces (e.g., jacks, antennas, transmitters,receivers, transceivers, wire terminals, etc.) for conducting datacommunications with BIM database 506, BAS network 510, or other externalsystems or devices. In various embodiments, communications via interface804 may be direct (e.g., local wired or wireless communications) or viaa communications network (e.g., a WAN, the Internet, a cellular network,etc.). For example, interface 804 may include an Ethernet card and portfor sending and receiving data via an Ethernet-based communications linkor network. In another example, interface 804 may include a WiFitransceiver for communicating via a wireless communications network, acellular or mobile phone communications transceiver, or a power linecommunications interface.

Processing circuit 808 is shown to include a processor 810 and memory812. Processor 810 may be a general purpose or specific purposeprocessor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one ormore field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processingcomponents, or other suitable processing components. Processor 810 isconfigured to execute computer code or instructions stored in memory 812or received from other computer readable media (e.g., CDROM, networkstorage, a remote server, etc.).

Memory 812 may include one or more devices (e.g., memory units, memorydevices, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer codefor completing and/or facilitating the various processes described inthe present disclosure. Memory 812 may include random access memory(RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage,non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitablememory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. Memory812 may include database components, object code components, scriptcomponents, or any other type of information structure for supportingthe various activities and information structures described in thepresent disclosure. Memory 812 may be communicably connected toprocessor 810 via processing circuit 818 and may include computer codefor executing (e.g., by processor 810) one or more processes describedherein. When processor 810 executes instructions stored in memory 812,processor 810 generally configures BAS controller 802 (and moreparticularly processing circuit 808) to complete such activities.

Still referring to FIG. 8, memory 812 is shown to include a BIM selector814. BIM selector 804 may be configured to receive a selected BIM fromuser 820. In some embodiments, user 820 uploads the BIM to BAScontroller 802. In other embodiments, BIM selector 814 retrieves the BIMfrom BIM database 606. BIM selector 814 may provide the BIM to BIM treegenerator 606 for use in generating the BIM tree. In some embodiments,BIM selector 814 provides the BIM to integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504. Inother embodiments, BIM selector 814 provides the BIM tree to BAS-BIMpoint integrator 502.

BAS tree generator 604 may receive the BAS points from BAS network 810via data communications interface 804 and may use the BAS points togenerate a BAS tree. The BIM tree and the BAS tree may be provided tomapping interface generator 602. Mapping interface generator 602 usesthe BAS tree and BIM tree to generate a mapping interface. The mappinginterface may be presented to user 820 via user interface 508. The userinteracts with the mapping interface to define point mappings. The pointmappings may be stored in point mappings database 702 and/or used byBAS-BIM integrator 502 to modify the BIM.

Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may receive the point mappings from pointmappings database and may use the point mappings to identify BAS pointsassociated with BIM objects referenced in the BIM. In other embodiments,integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 receives a BIM with integrated BAS pointsfrom BAS-BIM point integrator 502, as described with reference to FIG.5. Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may retrieve corresponding point valuesfrom BAS network 510 via data communications interface 804. IntegratedBAS-BIM viewer 504 may then present the BIM with integrated BAS pointsand values to user 820 via user interface 508.

Still referring to FIG. 8, memory 812 is shown to include an alarmmanager 816 and an equipment controller 818. Alarm manager 816 mayreceive alarms from BAS network 510 or may identify alarms based on thevalues of the BAS points. For example, alarm manager 816 may compare thevalues of the BAS points to alarm thresholds. If a BAS point is notwithin a range of values defined by the alarm thresholds, alarm manager816 may determine that an alarm condition exists for the BAS point.Alarm manager 816 may provide alarms to integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504.Integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 may use the alarms to generate part of theuser interface provided to user 820.

Equipment controller 818 may receive control actions from integratedBAS-BIM viewer 504. The control actions may be user-defined controlactions provided via the integrated BAS-BIM viewing interface. Equipmentcontroller 818 may use the control actions to generate control signalsfor building equipment 512 or otherwise adjust the operation of buildingequipment 512. In this way, the BIM with integrated BAS points andvalues not only allows a user to monitor the BAS, but also provides thecontrol functionality of a graphical BAS management and controlinterface. Several exemplary graphical interfaces which may be generatedby integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 are described in greater detail withreference to FIGS. 9-18.

User Interfaces

Referring now to FIGS. 9-18, several user interfaces 900-1800 which maybe generated by BAS-BIM integrator 502 and integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504are shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. In some embodiments,interfaces 900-1800 are web interfaces and may be presented via a webbrowser running on a user device. The user device may be a computerworkstation, a client terminal, a personal computer, or any other typeof user device. In various embodiments, the user device may be a mobiledevice (e.g., a smartphone, a tablet, a PDA, a laptop, etc.) or anon-mobile device. In other embodiments, interfaces 900-1800 arepresented via a specialized monitoring and control application. Theapplication may run on BAS controller 366, on a computer system withinBAS 400, on a server, or on a user device. In some embodiments, theapplication is a mobile application configured to run on a mobiledevice.

Referring particularly to FIG. 9, an integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface900 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 900 may begenerated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact with aBIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 900 is shown toinclude a perspective view of a building 902. Building 902 is shown toinclude walls 904, a roof 906, and windows 908. The geometry andlocations of components 904-906 may be defined by the BIM objects withinthe BIM model.

Interface 900 may be interactive and may allow a user to view building902 from multiple different angles and/or perspectives. For example,interface 900 may provide interface options for zooming in, zooming out,panning vertically or horizontally, rotating the view, and/or otherwisechanging the perspective. View buttons 912 may be used to select aparticular view (e.g., top, side, front, back, left, right, back,perspective, etc.) of building 902. Navigation buttons 910 may be usedto display a tree of BIM objects, filter the BIM objects (e.g., by type,by location, etc.), display any alarms provided by the BAS, or otherwisemanipulate the view of building 902. Search box 914 can be used tosearch for particular BIM objects, search for BAS points, search for aparticular room or zone, and/or search for building equipment. Selectingan item via navigation buttons 910 or search box 914 may change the viewof building 902 based on the user selection (e.g., to view a selectedcomponent, to hide components, etc.).

Referring now to FIG. 10, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1000 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1000 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1000 shows a viewof building 902 from a location within building 902. Interface 1000 isshown to include structural components of building 902 such as walls1006, floor 1008, ceiling 1010, and doors 1012. Interface 1000 alsodisplays HVAC components 1014 (e.g., air ducts), lighting components1016 (e.g., lighting fixtures), electronic components 1018 (e.g.,computer monitors), and furniture 1020 (e.g., desks). The geometry andlocations of components 1006-1020 may be defined by the BIM objectswithin the BIM model.

Interface 1000 is shown to include an object tree 1002. Object tree 1002may be displayed in response to selecting tree button 1004. Object tree1002 includes a hierarchical representation of building 902 and thevarious spaces and components contained therein. For example, objecttree 1002 is shown to include objects representing a campus, aparticular building within the campus (e.g., Jolly Board Tower), levelswithin the building (e.g., level 0, level 1, level 2, etc.), andspaces/components within each level (e.g., conference rooms, offices,AHUs, etc.). Selecting any of the objects displayed in object tree 1002may cause interface 1000 to display the selected object or change theview to show the selected object.

Referring now to FIG. 11, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1100 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1100 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1100 is shown toinclude the same view of building 902 as shown in interface 1000. Theview can be changed by selecting view button 1102. For example,selecting view button 1102 may cause view menu 1116 to be displayed.View menu 1116 is shown to include a perspective button 1104, a sidebutton 1106, a top button 1108, and a front button 1110. Selecting anyof buttons 1104-1110 may cause the view to change to the selected view.Selecting activity button 1118 may allow a user to change the view tosimulate the perspective of a person walking through building 902.

Interface 1110 is shown to include a filter menu 1114. Filter menu 1114may be displayed in response to selecting filter button 1112. Filtermenu 1114 includes several categories of objects which can beselectively filtered by checking or unchecking the boxes associated witheach category. For example, filter menu 1114 is shown to include thecategories of architecture, HVAC, lighting, and plumbing. As shown inFIG. 11, unchecking the box associated with the HVAC category causes theHVAC components 1014 to be hidden.

Referring now to FIG. 12, a BIM viewer interface 1200 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1200 may be generated byintegrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact with a BIM. Interface1200 is shown to include a view of an air handling unit (AHU) 1202within building 902. In some embodiments, the view shown in FIG. 12 isdisplayed in response to selecting an object associated with AHU 1202via object tree 1002. For example, the object named “OutdoorAHU—Horizontal 1:6 Square Feet of Coil” can be selected via object tree1002 to cause AHU 1202 to be displayed.

Interface 1200 shows a view of AHU 1202 before the BAS points areintegrated with the BIM. For example, selecting or hovering over AHU1202 may cause information window 1204 to be displayed. Since no BASpoints are yet associated with AHU 1202, information window 1204displays only the node name of AHU 1202. Once BAS points are integratedwith the BIM, information window 1204 may be modified to display any BASpoints/values that have been mapped to the BIM object representing AHU1202.

Referring now to FIG. 13, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1300 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1300 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1300 shows a viewof AHU 1202 after BAS points have been integrated with the BIM. Inaddition to the information shown in interface 1200, information window1204 is shown to include several BAS points and the present valuesassociated with each BAS point. The point names may be stored asattributes of the BIM and loaded when the BIM is viewed. The presentvalues may be retrieved from the BAS network and displayed withininformation window 1204 when AHU 1202 is selected.

Interface 1300 is shown to include a BAS information window 1302. Window1302 is shown to include several types of information retrieved from theBAS. For example, window 1302 is shown to include BAS points 1304 thathave been mapped to AHU 1202, an EFIRM link 1306, technical detailsabout AHU 1202 (e.g., a product data sheet, a catalogue, drawings,etc.), and work order information 1310 describing any work orders thathave been performed or scheduled for AHU 1202. Any faults associatedwith BAS points 1304 or AHU 1202 may be displayed in BAS informationwindow 1302. For example, if the BAS points “HTG-O” and “WC-ADJ” are outof range or otherwise indicate a fault condition, these BAS points maybe highlighted in window 1302 (e.g., by coloring portion 1312 red orflashing the BAS points or present values, etc.). Advantageously,interface 1300 allows a user to see not only the BIM information, butalso integrated BAS information on a single display.

Referring now to FIG. 14, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1400 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1400 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1400 is shown toinclude a plurality of BAS points 1418 associated with AHU 1202 inobject tree 1002. BAS points 1418 may include any point from the BASthat has been mapped to the object associated with AHU 1202 (e.g., ahumidity measurement, a temperature measurements, a temperaturesetpoint, etc.).

Interface 1400 is shown to include a point information window 1402.Point information window 1402 may be displayed in response to selectinga BAS point 1408 in object tree 1002. For example, point informationwindow 1402 may be displayed when the BAS point “FEC.ZN-H” is selectedin object tree 1002. Point information window 1402 is shown to include atrend data portion 1404. Trend data portion 1404 may include a graph1406 of past values of the selected BAS point within a user-defined timerange. A user can define the time range for which trend data isdisplayed by entering times via text boxes 1412. Graph 1406 may includea history of past values and can be selected to display the value of theBAS point at any instant in time.

Point information window 1402 may include an alarm limits portion 1408and an alarm history portion 1410. Alarm limits portion 1408 may allow auser to define alarm limits for the BAS point. If the BAS point does notfall within the alarm limits, the BAS point may be indicated as a fault.Alarm history portion 1410 may allow a user to view a history of alarmsassociated with the BAS point.

Point information window 1402 may allow a user to write new values forthe BAS point. For example, point information window 1402 is shown toinclude a text box 1416 which can be used to enter a user-defined valuefor the BAS point. Selecting write button 1414 may send the user-definedvalue to the BAS. This feature may be useful for adjusting a setpoint orcalibrating a BAS point.

Referring now to FIG. 15, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1500 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1500 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1500 is shown toinclude an alarms summary window 1504. Window 1504 may be displayed inresponse to selecting alarms button 1502. Alarms summary window 1504 isshown to include an indication of any alarms faults associated with theBAS points. Window 1504 may describe each alarm by identifying BAS pointassociated with the alarm (e.g., by point name), an alarm status (e.g.,high or low), a description of the alarm (e.g., heating output), an itemreference associated with the alarm, and a device type for theassociated BAS point. In some embodiments, alarms summary window 1504provides user interface options to perform automated fault diagnosticsto detect an underlying fault associated with the alarms or to respondto alarms. Selecting an alarm in alarms summary window 1504 may changethe view of the building so that the object associated with the alarm isshown (e.g., navigating to a portion of the building that includes theobject, zooming in on the object, etc.). The object associated with thealarm may be highlighted in the view of the building (e.g., colored red,flashing, etc.) so that the user can easily identify the object in theview window.

Referring now to FIG. 16, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1600 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1600 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1600 is shown toinclude a trend window 1602, which may be displayed in response to auser selecting trend button 1610. Trend window 1602 may be configured todisplay trend data for multiple BAS points on the same graph. Forexample, trend window 1602 is shown displaying trend data for the BASpoints “FEC.ZN-Q” and “FEC.WC-ADJ” concurrently on the same graph.Advantageously, trend window 1602 may display trend data (e.g., timeseries data) for all of the BAS points mapped to a particular BIM objectin a single display without requiring any additional user input orconfiguration to identify the BAS points. BAS points can be displayed orremoved from the graph by selecting or deselecting point labels 1608. Insome embodiments, interface 1600 includes a time range selector 1606which allows a user to define the start time and the end time for thetrend data displayed in trend window 1602. In some embodiments,interface 1600 includes a value display box 1604 which displays valuesfor one or more of the BAS points shown in the graph at a particularinstant in time. A user can select or hover over a portion of the graphto specify the instant in time for which the data values are displayed.

Referring now to FIG. 17, another integrated BAS-BIM viewer interface1700 is shown, according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1700 maybe generated by integrated BAS-BIM viewer 504 to view and interact witha BIM with integrated BAS points and values. Interface 1700 is shown toinclude a search box 914. Search box 914 can be used to search forparticular BIM objects, BAS points, particular rooms or zones, buildingequipment, or other objects or data points that match a user-definedsearch term. Interface 1700 may be configured to search BAS point names,BIM object names, BIM object attributes, or other items included in theintegrated BIM model. Results of the search may be displayed in searchresults list 1702. Selecting an item in search results list 1702 maychange the view of building 902 based on the user selection (e.g., toview a selected object or an object associated with a selected BASpoint).

Referring now to FIG. 18, a point mapping interface 1800 is shown,according to an exemplary embodiment. Interface 1800 may be generated byintegrated BAS-BIM integrator 502 to map BAS points to BIM objects.Interface 1800 may allow a user to identify a BIM or upload a BIM (e.g.,by selecting upload button 1806). The uploaded BIM may be used togenerate a BIM tree 1804, which may include a hierarchical listing ofBIM objects. Interface 1800 may automatically identify a correspondingBAS and retrieve a BAS tree 1802 from the BAS network. Interface 1800may allow a user to rename the identified BAS and/or identify adifferent BAS (e.g., by entering a campus name 1808, building name 1810,etc.). The identified BAS may be used to generate a BAS tree 1802, whichmay include a hierarchical listing of BAS points. A user can define amapping between BAS points and BIM objects by dragging and dropping BASpoints from BAS tree 1802 onto BIM objects in BIM tree 1804. In someembodiments, the point mappings are stored in a point mappings database.In other embodiments, the mapped BAS points are stored as attributes orproperties of the BIM object to which the BAS points are mapped.

Changes to the building or point mappings can be made by uploading a newBIM. For example, if a BAS device is moved from one room in the buildingto another room in the building, an updated BIM reflecting the changecan be uploaded via point mapping interface 1800. Point mappinginterface 1800 may be configured to retrieve a previous point mappingfrom the point mappings database and automatically apply the pointmappings to the updated BIM (e.g., by selecting “keep record” button1812). Advantageously, this feature allows the point mappings to beupdated and applied to new versions of the BIM without requiring a userto redefine the point mappings.

BAS-BIM Integration Process

Referring now to FIG. 19, a flowchart of a process 1900 for generatingand using a BIM with integrated BAS points is shown, according to anexemplary embodiment. Process 1900 may be performed by one or morecomponents of system 500, system 700, or controller 800, as describedwith reference to FIGS. 5-8.

Process 1900 is shown to include receiving a building information model(BIM) (step 1902). The BIM may include a plurality of BIM objectsrepresenting building equipment. In some embodiments, the BIM includes athree-dimensional model of the building. The BIM objects may include oneor more objects representing structural components of the building andone or more objects representing spaces within the building.

Process 1900 is shown to include collecting building automation system(BAS) points from a BAS network (step 1904). The BAS network may includea BACnet network, a LonWorks network, or any other network configured tofacilitate communications between building equipment. The BAS points maybe measured data points, calculated data points, setpoints, or othertypes of data points used by the BAS, generated by the BAS, or storedwithin the BAS (e.g., configuration settings, control parameters,equipment information, alarm information, etc.). In some embodiments,step 1904 includes retrieving corresponding point values from the BASnetwork. The point values may include at least one of values measured bythe building equipment, values generated by the building equipment,setpoints for the building equipment, and operating parameters for thebuilding equipment.

Process 1900 is shown to include integrating the BAS points with the BIM(step 1906). In some embodiments, step 1906 includes generating a BAStree that includes the BAS points, generating a BIM tree that includesthe BIM objects, and generating a mapping interface that includes theBAS tree and the BIM tree. Step 1906 may include establishing mappingsbetween the BAS points and the BIM objects based on a user inputreceived via the mapping interface. For example, the user input mayinclude dragging and dropping the BAS points from the BAS tree onto BIMobjects in the BIM tree. In some embodiments, step 1906 includes storingmappings between the BAS points and the BIM objects in a mappingsdatabase.

Process 1900 is shown to include using the BIM with the integrated BASpoints to generate a user interface including a graphical representationof the BIM objects and the BAS points (step 1908). Several examples ofuser interfaces that may be generated in step 1908 are described withreference to FIGS. 9-18. The user interface may be viewed using anintegrated BAS-BIM viewer (e.g., CAD software, a CAD viewer, a webbrowser, etc.). The BAS-BIM viewer uses the geometric and locationinformation from the BIM to generate 3D representations of physicalcomponents and building spaces. Advantageously, a user can viewreal-time data from the BAS and/or trend data for objects represented inthe BIM simply by viewing the BIM with integrated BAS data.

Process 1900 is shown to include detecting a control action received viathe user interface (step 1910) and using the control action to generatea control signal for the building equipment (step 1912). In someembodiments, the user interface is an interactive interface that allowsthe user to view BAS points, change the values of BAS points (e.g.,setpoints), configure the BAS, and/or interact with the BAS via the userinterface. For example, the user can write new values for any of the BASpoints displayed in the BIM (e.g., setpoints), send operating commandsor control signals to the building equipment displayed in the BIM, orotherwise interact with the BAS via the BIM.

Control actions submitted via the user interface may be provided to theBAS network. The BAS network may use the control actions to generatecontrol signals for the building equipment or otherwise adjust theoperation of the building equipment. In this way, the BIM withintegrated BAS points and values not only allows a user to monitor theBAS, but also provides the control functionality of a graphical BASmanagement and control interface. These features allow the BIM withintegrated BAS data to be used as a building control interface whichprovides a graphical 3D representation of the building and the equipmentcontained therein without requiring a user to manually create or definegraphics for various building components.

Configuration of Exemplary Embodiments

The construction and arrangement of the systems and methods as shown inthe various exemplary embodiments are illustrative only. Although only afew embodiments have been described in detail in this disclosure, manymodifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions,structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values ofparameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors,orientations, etc.). For example, the position of elements may bereversed or otherwise varied and the nature or number of discreteelements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all suchmodifications are intended to be included within the scope of thepresent disclosure. The order or sequence of any process or method stepsmay be varied or re-sequenced according to alternative embodiments.Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be madein the design, operating conditions and arrangement of the exemplaryembodiments without departing from the scope of the present disclosure.

The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems and programproducts on any machine-readable media for accomplishing variousoperations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implementedusing existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computerprocessor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or anotherpurpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of thepresent disclosure include program products comprising machine-readablemedia for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or datastructures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be anyavailable media that can be accessed by a general purpose or specialpurpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example,such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, CD-ROMor other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magneticstorage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or storedesired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions ordata structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose orspecial purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinationsof the above are also included within the scope of machine-readablemedia. Machine-executable instructions include, for example,instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, specialpurpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform acertain function or group of functions.

Although the figures show a specific order of method steps, the order ofthe steps may differ from what is depicted. Also two or more steps maybe performed concurrently or with partial concurrence. Such variationwill depend on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designerchoice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure.Likewise, software implementations could be accomplished with standardprogramming techniques with rule based logic and other logic toaccomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparisonsteps and decision steps.

The background section is intended to provide a background or context tothe invention recited in the claims. The description in the backgroundsection may include concepts that could be pursued, but are notnecessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued.Therefore, unless otherwise indicated herein, what is described in thebackground section is not prior art to the present invention and is notadmitted to be prior art by inclusion in the background section.

What is claimed is:
 1. A building automation system (BAS) comprising:building equipment located within a building, wherein the buildingequipment operate to affect a variable state or condition within thebuilding; a BAS network configured to facilitate communications betweenthe building equipment; a BAS-building information model (BIM)integrator configured to receive BAS points from the BAS network and tointegrate the BAS points with a BIM comprising a plurality of BIMobjects representing the building equipment, the BAS-BIM integratorcomprising: a BAS tree generator configured to generate a BAS treecomprising the BAS points; a BIM tree generator configured to generate aBIM tree comprising the BIM objects; and a mapping interface generatorconfigured to generate a mapping interface comprising the BAS tree andthe BIM tree; an integrated BAS-BIM viewer configured to use the BIMwith the integrated BAS points to generate an integrated BAS-BIM userinterface comprising a graphical representation of the BIM tree and agraphical representation of the BIM objects and the BAS pointsintegrated therewith, with the BAS points shown in graphical associationwith the BIM objects; and an alarm manager that receives an alarm fromthe BAS network, associates the alarm with one of the BIM objects,causes the alarm to be displayed via the integrated BAS-BIM userinterface, and causes a graphical representation of the BIM objectassociated with the alarm to be displayed via the integrated BAS-BIMuser interface in response to receiving a selection of the alarm via theintegrated BAS-BIM user interface; wherein the integrated BAS-BIM vieweris configured to display a graphical representation of one of the BIMobjects in response to receiving a selection of the one of the BIMobjects via the graphical representation of the BIM tree.
 2. Thebuilding automation system of claim 1, wherein: the BIM comprises athree-dimensional model of the building; and the BIM objects compriseone or more objects representing structural components of the buildingand one or more objects representing spaces within the building.
 3. Thebuilding automation system of claim 1, wherein the integrated BAS-BIMviewer uses the integrated BAS points to retrieve corresponding pointvalues from the BAS network and displays the point values as part of theintegrated BAS-BIM user interface; wherein the point values comprise atleast one of values measured by the building equipment, values generatedby the building equipment, setpoints for the building equipment, andoperating parameters for the building equipment.
 4. The buildingautomation system of claim 1, wherein the integrated BAS-BIM viewergenerates a graph comprising a history of values for at least one of theBAS points and displays the graph as part of the integrated BAS-BIM userinterface.
 5. The building automation system of claim 1, wherein: theBAS points include BAS data; and the BIM objects include BIM datadifferent from the BAS data.
 6. The building automation system of claim1, wherein BAS-BIM integrator is configured to establish mappingsbetween the BAS points and the BIM objects based on a user inputreceived via the mapping interface.
 7. The building automation system ofclaim 1, wherein the user input comprises dragging and dropping the BASpoints from the BAS tree onto BIM objects in the BIM tree.
 8. Thebuilding automation system of claim 1, wherein: the BAS-BIM integratorstores mappings between the BAS points and the BIM objects in a mappingsdatabase; and the integrated BAS-BIM viewer retrieves the mappings fromthe mappings database and uses the mappings to generate the integratedBAS-BIM user interface.
 9. The building automation system of claim 1,wherein the integrated BAS-BIM viewer receives a control action via theintegrated BAS-BIM user interface and uses the control action togenerate a control signal for the building equipment.
 10. A system forintegrating building automation system (BAS) points with a buildinginformation model (BIM), the system comprising: a BAS-BIM integratorconfigured to receive BAS points from a BAS network and to integrate theBAS points with a BIM comprising: a three-dimensional model of abuilding; and a plurality of BIM objects representing buildingequipment; the BAS-BIM integrator comprising: a BAS tree generatorconfigured to generate a BAS tree comprising the BAS points; a BIM treegenerator configured to generate a BIM tree comprising the plurality ofBIM objects; and a mapping interface generator configured to generate amapping interface comprising the BAS tree and the BIM tree; anintegrated BAS-BIM viewer configured to use the BIM with the integratedBAS points to generate an integrated BAS-BIM user interface comprising agraphical representation of the BIM including the three-dimensionalmodel of the building, the BIM objects, and the BAS points integratedtherewith, and a graphical representation of the BIM tree for switchingbetween a plurality of different views of the graphical representationof the BIM, the plurality of different views of the graphicalrepresentation of the BIM comprising at least a perspective view of thegraphical representation of the BIM and a front view of the graphicalrepresentation of the BIM; the integrated BAS-BIM viewer configured to:present the integrated BAS-BIM user interface on a single window withthe BAS points shown in graphical association with the BIM objects,receive a selection of a selected BIM object, display, in response toreceiving the selection of the selected BIM object, a selected BAS pointassociated with the selected BIM object, and switch between theplurality of different views of the graphical representation of the BIMin response to receiving a user selection of the graphicalrepresentation of the BIM tree; an alarm manager that receives alarmsfrom the BAS network, associates the alarms with BIM objects, and causesthe alarms and the associated BIM objects to be displayed via theintegrated BAS-BIM user interface.
 11. The system of claim 10, whereinthe BIM objects comprise one or more objects representing structuralcomponents of the building and one or more objects representing spaceswithin the building.
 12. The system of claim 10, wherein the integratedBAS-BIM viewer uses the integrated BAS points to retrieve correspondingpoint values from the BAS network and displays the point values as partof the integrated BAS-BIM user interface; wherein the point valuescomprise at least one of values measured by the building equipment,values generated by the building equipment, setpoints for the buildingequipment, and operating parameters for the building equipment.
 13. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the integrated BAS-BIM viewer generates agraph comprising a history of values for at least one of the BAS pointsand displays the graph as part of the integrated BAS-BIM user interface.14. The system of claim 10, wherein the BAS-BIM integrator comprises: aBAS tree generator configured to generate a BAS tree comprising the BASpoints; a BIM tree generator configured to generate a BIM treecomprising the BIM objects; and a mapping interface generator configuredto generate a mapping interface comprising the BAS tree and the BIMtree.
 15. The system of claim 14, wherein BAS-BIM integrator isconfigured to establish mappings between the BAS points and the BIMobjects based on a user input received via the mapping interface, theuser input comprising dragging and dropping the BAS points from the BAStree onto BIM objects in the BIM tree.
 16. The system of claim 10,wherein: the BAS-BIM integrator stores mappings between the BAS pointsand the BIM objects in a mappings database; the integrated BAS-BIMviewer retrieves the mappings from the mappings database and uses themappings to generate the integrated BAS-BIM user interface.
 17. Thesystem of claim 10, wherein the integrated BAS-BIM viewer receives acontrol action via the integrated BAS-BIM user interface and uses thecontrol action to generate a control signal for the building equipment.18. A method for integrating building automation system (BAS) pointswith a building information model (BIM), the method comprising:receiving a BIM comprising: a plurality of BIM objects representingbuilding equipment within a building; and a 3D model of the building;collecting BAS points from a BAS network; integrating the BAS pointswith the BIM throughout the building comprising generating a BAS treecomprising the BAS points, generating a BIM tree comprising the BIMobjects, and mapping the BAS tree and the BIM tree; using the BIM withthe integrated BAS points to generate an integrated BAS-BIM userinterface in a single window, the integrated BAS-BIM user interfacecomprising a graphical representation of the BIM objects and the BASpoints integrated therewith throughout the building, the BAS pointsshown in graphical association with the BIM objects in the integratedBAS-BIM user interface; providing a graphical representation of the BIMtree on the integrated BAS-BIM user interface; receiving a selection ofthe graphical representation of the BIM tree via the integrated BAS-BIMuser interface; displaying a first person view of the graphicalrepresentation of the BIM objects in response to receiving the selectionof the graphical representation of the BIM tree; receiving a selectionof a selected BIM object received via the integrated BAS-BIM userinterface; displaying, in response to receiving the selection, aselected BAS point associated with the selected BIM object; detecting acontrol action received via the integrated BAS-BIM user interface; usingthe control action to generate a control signal for the buildingequipment in response to detecting the control action; receiving analarm from the BAS network; associating the alarm with one of the BIMobjects; and causing the alarm and the associated BIM object to bedisplayed via the integrated BAS-BIM user interface.